Laid Back and Uncrowded: Entalula and Snake Islands

Most visitors at El Nido go for 2 tours, namely Tours A and C, unless they are able to go on a longer break and do 3 tours or more. Consequently, they miss out on Tours B and D. We were not particularly excited about Tour B, and were looking forward to Tour D and the beautiful Cadlao Lagoon instead. We were in for a delightful surprise.

Entalula Island

This island was our first Tour B destination and it took an hour-long boat ride from the docking area at El Nido town to get there. As we slowly glided towards the white sand beach on the eastern side of the Entalula Island in our tour boat, we immediately knew we had a winner.

Entalula’s powdery white sand beach is beautifully framed from behind by towering karst cliffs dotted with green shrubs. A diamond-shaped karst rock standing separately from the massive karst towers gives this island a distinct character. Lush coconut palms and other trees provided a good shade from the sun’s morning rays that were beginning to beat down on the island.

Like the rest of the islands at El Nido’s Bacuit Bay, the turquoise and aquamarine waters here are crystal-clear. And not too far from shore is a coral reef, a private paradise for snorkeling. It was easy to get the Robinson Crusoe, deserted paradise vibes here.

While Entalula Island could easily be a highlight of many other places in the Philippines, it is just one of the many gorgeous destinations here in El Nido. But because of its inclusion at Tour B, you will find fewer visitors here compared to those at the lagoons and beaches of Miniloc, Helicopter and Matinloc Islands to name a few. Even our tour boat had fewer passengers, totaling only 11 compared to the usual 20-25 passengers on these island-hopping tours. Consequently, our stay at this island was quieter and more laidback and allowed us plenty of opportunities to explore.

We learned later that this island is privately owned by the same company that built the high-end resorts at Lagen, Pangulasian and Miniloc Islands nearby, although that company still allows visitors on the beach. We did see a number of guests from those resorts who had arrived on Entalula by speedboat or via the more ubiquitous motorized outrigger. Which brings to mind a rather troubling possibility: would it come to the point that all these destinations in El Nido will be privately owned and off-limits to all but the patrons of the expensive resorts in these islands?

Snake Island

While Entalula Island might look like your typical but more laidback El Nido island, our next destination is one of the most unique in Bacuit Bay.

Officially named Vigan Island, Snake Island is located very close to the El Nido/Palawan mainland. This small island includes a white sandbar that meanders its way towards that mainland. No, there are no snakes here. Vigan Island got its monicker from the wiggly shape of its 400-meter-long sandbar.

During low tide, the white sand would have been fully exposed but since we came during high tide hours, the sandbar was completely buried under the crystalline aquamarine waters. But even at high tide, with water up to our waists, the scene was stunning. Blue skies, fluffy, cotton-like white cumulus clouds and verdant hills in the background completed the picturesque scenery.

The white sandbar slowly takes on shape as low tide creeps in. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay long enough to see it revealed completely as there were 4 other destinations to visit.

It is possible to walk the 400 meters from Snake Island to the Palawan mainland even at high tide since the waters at the sandbar are waist-deep at its maximum. But after walking for about half this distance, we reversed course to get back to the island, strode past the mangroves near the shore and climbed the concrete steps to a viewpoint at the summit of a low hill. Here we were rewarded with a panoramic view of the sandbar and the mainland where it connects.

Pinagbuyutan Island

In the past, this island was included in Tour B. Our boat crew chief mentioned that for him, the 2 top destinations in El Nido would be the Big Lagoon and Pinagbuyutan Island. That is saying a lot. Unfortunately, visitors are no longer allowed on this charming island with a massive, towering karst cliff, verdant palms and one of the best beaches in El Nido. There is probably a resort in the works on this island but we are not sure.

A few visitors have expressed the view that Tour B is the best of the 4 tours, citing the fewer number of visitors on this tour and its more laidback atmosphere. Many would probably not agree with that but it is safe to say that when their schedule allows it, visitors should make sure to include Tour B and these two amazing destinations in their El Nido itinerary.